A nurse for the National Health Service was fired after she was discovered stealing two medications from a hospital pharmacy to relieve headaches while she worked.
Francesca Morgan, 32, took co-codamol and paracetamol in June 2021 after being ill while working at Arrowe Park Hospital in Liverpool.
An investigation revealed that she took the prescription without the needed written permission on the “assumption” that she was permitted to do so.
The Wirral Magistrates’ Court granted Morgan a 12-month conditional release yesterday after he pled guilty to two counts of stealing by an employee.
Francesca Morgan, a 32-year-old NHS nurse, has lost her job after being discovered stealing two headache pills from the hospital pharmacy.
Morgan took co-codamol and paracetamol in June 2021 after feeling ill while working at Arrowe Park Hospital near Liverpool.
Between June 6 and June 18 of last year, health officials reported stolen prescription drugs, prompting police to investigate the thefts.
The court heard that investigators deployed a hidden camera that filmed Woolton resident Morgan treating herself to cocaine.
The prosecutor, Yvonne Dobson, stated, “The hospital initiated an investigation due to the requirement to replenish a high amount of medications.” To check the amount of medication at the beginning and conclusion of each day, a tablet count was implemented.
This was implemented without the staff’s knowledge.
Following this, a hidden camera was installed. It was discovered that a number of employees were not following the necessary protocol when handling medications.
Health officials reported missing prescription drugs at Arrowe Park Hospital between June 6 and June 18 of last year, prompting police to open an investigation.
The court heard that investigators put a hidden camera that filmed Morgan (pictured), of Woolton, helping herself to drugs.
Ms. Dobson said, “The defendant was also observed taking medication without justification.”
She stole the medication for her own use. On the initial occasion, she took co-codamol. On the second occasion, paracetamol was administered.
The prosecutor also claimed that Morgan was observed ingesting the pills. She emphasized that the nurse was not being held accountable for the theft of all the medications.
The prosecution stated, “We are not accusing her of the total theft.”
“These are two isolated occurrences. She assumed she had implicit permission to use the drug. Although she had no prior convictions, she has since lost her good character.
Because of the thefts, Morgan has lost both her job and her career. The court was informed that she had also lost her home and had subsequently moved in with her grandma.
In mitigation, defense attorney Laura Flynn informed the court that as a result of the thefts, Morgan had lost her employment and her career. She has also lost her residence and now resides with her grandmother.
The attorney stated that her client had been experiencing headaches while on duty and believed that taking the drug was permissible because other nurses were doing it.
Morgan pled guilty to two counts of employee theft. The magistrates awarded her a 12-month conditional discharge, meaning she would not be subject to incarceration unless she commits another crime during the next year. In addition, she was ordered to pay £144 in costs and victim surcharge.
Peter Mawdsley, chairman of the board, stated, “You have already lost your job and your home.” Accordingly, a conditional discharge is justified.
»NHS nurse gets fired for taking two pills from the hospital pharmacy«